Tag Archives: ca

Anti-crime block parties in WS tonight

FROM THE NEWS-LEDGER —

The annual block party and anti-crime rally is planned for tonight, Aug. 6. Local residents are encouraged to leave their outdoor lights on, go outside and network with their neighbors in this local edition of the “National Night Out” event. West Sacramento police, costumed mascots, members of the military and others will visit many of the parties — especially the “featured” block party at 1016 Meadow Road.

Fifteen West Sacramento blocks will hold events this year from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. They are:

Washington Courtyard Apartments (500 7th St.);

Las Casitas Apartments (685 Lighthouse Dr.);

Sunset Village Apartments (1611 Madrone Ave.);

West Capitol Courtyard (2455 West Capitol Ave.);

3429 Evergreen Ave.;

1016 Meadow Rd.;

1613 19th St.;

19th St. and Pennsylvania Ave.;

Aster and Manchester Streets;

2692 Mandeville Way;

Barona Court;

Sumatra and Mandura Streets;

3590 Antigua Pl.;

1527 Redding Rd.;

and 3733 Elsinore Ct.

For questions, call Community Service Officer Nora McDowell, (916) 617-4937.

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Copyright News-Ledger 2013

Ag firm moves 10 miles to West Sac

NEWS-LEDGER — JULY 31, 2013 —

R&D firm will take place of Affymetrix — which left West Sacto for Asia

By Steve MarschkeNews-Ledger Editor

A Davis agricultural research and development operation will move to West Sacramento next year in order to expand.

Bayer will use the facility for its U.S.-based research on vegetable seeds and crop protection products, said Cushman & Wakefield.

The plant will employ up to 300 people, added a statement from the Sacramento Area Commerce and Trade Organization (SACTO), which worked with the City of West Sacramento and the company to facilitate the move.

Various reports say Bayer was unable to find a suitable facility in Davis in which to expand its operations. It chose existing lab space in West Sacramento that was formerly home to Affymetrix. That biotech firm quit West Sacramento for Singapore four years ago.

MAYOR CHRISTOPHER CABALDON: “thrilled’ to have agricultural research company move to West Sac (News-Ledger file photo)

“We’re thrilled with Bayer’s decision to locate in West Sacramento,” said West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon in the SACTO press release. “The location will bring new jobs, revenue, and opportunities for other businesses and industry sectors in the area. Our staff worked closely with SACTO to put together a deal that allows Bayer AG to grow its footprint in the region.”

SACTO also credited the governor’s office for helping to make the move and expansion possible.

A company official said the move of about 10 miles would allow Bayer CropScience to continue its relationship with researchers at UC Davis.

“The new location offers top-notch equipment and allows for a stimulating exchange across disciplines,” said Johan Peleman, Head of Vegetable Seeds R&D, in a company press release. “At the same time, we can further strengthen our bonds with the University of California at Davis, one of the world’s top plant science institutes.”

The company will also use other land nearby in West Sacramento for “greenhouse and test plot purposes,” reported Bayer.

The company’s move is scheduled for early 2014, when it will begin expanding from its current workforce of about 140 people.

You can support local journalism, support this website, and see all the News-Ledger’s articles every week! Subscribe to the News-Ledge newspaper. It’s only $20 per year within West Sacramento – once a week, delivered to your mailbox.

You can even try it for free for two months if you live in West Sacramento. Just send your name and mailing address to FreeTrial@news-ledger.com (offer open to new subscribers in West Sacramento ZIP codes 95691 & 95605).

Copyright News-Ledger 2013

Eight from West Sac on grand jury

NEWS-LEDGER — JULY 31, 2013 —

Eight West Sacramento residents are among the 43 empaneled for duty on the 2013-2014 Yolo County Grand Jury, which began service this month.

Included from West Sacramento are Jeanne Binns, Margie Campbell, Albert Freitas, Sara Noceto, Chalon Rogers, Belinda Shaw, Robert Stoinoff and David Valverde.

Also hailing from East Yolo is fellow juror Diane Hoschler of Clarksburg. Remaining jurors are from Davis, Woodland and Dunnigan.

A total of 43 people were named to this year’s jury after volunteering and being selected.

The grand jury is empowered to indict criminal suspects and to investigate citizen complaints about government agencies.

Copyright News-Ledger 2013

Children’s art class starts tomorrow

FROM THE NEWS-LEDGER NEWSPAPER —

Children age 7-12 are invited to explore the seven main elements of art, in a class beginning Aug. 5, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Mondays for four weeks at the West Sacramento Community Center. $85. Register at the center, 1075 West Capitol Ave., or call 617-4620 for information.

Copyright News-Ledger 2013

City calls for water savings now: voluntary measures in effect

FROM THE NEWS-LEDGER — JULY 31, 2013 —

By Steve Marschke, News-Ledger Editor

Short of a really wet winter, West Sacramento officials anticipate a water-supply problem in 2014, and they want residents and businesses to start conserving the wet stuff right now.

“The City is requesting a ‘Stage 2’ water conservation effort and encourages residents to irrigate lawns and gardens with less water and during nighttime hours only, to repair leaks in indoor and outdoor plumbing, and to be generally diligent about preserving this precious resource,” said a statement from Paulina Rosenthal, environmental services manager.

Rosenthal told the News-Ledger that, because the state hasn’t yet cut back the city’s water supply, there is no official “Stage 2” drought condition. For this year, the conservation measures are merely suggestions, and not laws.

“We’re anticipating another shortage next year, so we’re trying to get the conservation message out in advance,” she said. “These are all voluntary measures at this point. Unless something changes drastically over the next winter, we anticipate having to cut back next year.”

The City of West Sacramento is asking residents to voluntarily follow rules like these:

Don’t use potable water to wash sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, streets, or buildings, or to cool roofs.

Water your landscaping and gardens before 10 a.m. or after 7 p.m.

Water your lawns and landscaping on alternate days based on your address, and not on Mondays. Addresses ending with an odd number may water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; even numbers may water on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Ditto for washing cars.

Since the state hasn’t cut West Sacramento’s allotment of water from the Sacramento River this year, the News-Ledger asked city reps how conserving water now would help manage a potential future water problem.

“The reservoirs will have that much more water (if we conserve now),” answered Dan Mount, operations manager for the Public Works Department. “They release water based on our demand. If most organizations within the Regional Water Authority conserve, they will not need to release as much water from the reservoirs.”

The Regional Water Authority includes 18 agencies including West Sacramento and the city and county of Sacramento, said Mount.

State water officials will take a look at water supplies and snowpack – essentially, a frozen reservoir itself – over the winter. By May, they’ll make decisions on whether water allotments will need to be cut.

“Usually, we see something by April,” said Mount.

Absent an above-average rainfall this winter, said Rosenthal, an official “Stage Two” drought condition next year looks likely.

Copyright News-Ledger 2013

Jail inmate: drank too much water?

FROM THE NEWS-LEDGER — JULY 31, 2013 —

By Steve MarschkeNews-Ledger Editor

The Yolo County Sheriff/Coroner’s Office hasn’t finished its investigation into the May 18 death of a jail inmate. But the sheriff’s department has released a “cause of death” finding that appears somewhat unusual.

Todd Alexander Phillips, a 29-year old from West Sacramento, died of acute cerebral edema, reported sheriff’s spokesperson Mark Persons. This swelling of the brain was itself due to acute hyponatremia (low blood sodium) and to water intoxication, added Persons.

In other words, Phillips may have consumed an unusually high amount of water.
Persons said the coroner’s department may soon release its findings on the “manner of death” for Phillips, which may explain more about the circumstances behind the incident.

According to the sheriff’s department, Phillips had been in custody for “various felony and misdemeanor offenses” since April 12. At about 12:49 p.m. on May 18, a correctional officer found Phillips “agitated and upset.”

“Phillips was lying on the side of his bed having labored breathing,” said a statement released May 20 by Sheriff’s Lieutenant Dale Johnson. “He was placed in restraints for safety reasons. Medical staff inside the facility was notified and they immediately notified emergency personnel from outside the facility. Phillips was transported to the Woodland Memorial Hospital. Ultimately, efforts to revive Phillips failed, and he was pronounced dead at the hospital.”

“The investigation is closed,” said Persons. “The manner of death fot Todd Alexander Phillips has been determined as ‘undetermined.’

Persons said that the various possibilities — homicide, suicide, natural causes or accidental — had been ruled out, and the exact “manner of death” for Phillips was not clear.

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You can even try it for free for two months if you live in West Sacramento. Just send your name and mailing address to FreeTrial@news-ledger.com (offer open to new subscribers in West Sacramento ZIP codes 95691 & 95605).

Copyright News-Ledger 2013

Fire damages West Sac home

According to the fire department, a couple of people were inside the Rogers Street house when fire was reported just before 6 a.m. (News-Ledger photo)

FROM THE NEWS-LEDGER — JULY 31, 2013 —

Right around 6 a.m. Monday morning, local firefighters responded to a call on Rogers Street and found a “fully involved garage fire” at this home.

“Fortunately, the fire was contained to the garage and attic, but there was some smoke damage to the rest of the house,” said Battalion Chief Shawn Kite of the West Sacramento Fire Department. “The cause is still under investigation, but from what I can tell, it started in the garage.”

Kite said he understood that two people were in the house when the fire started. No injuries have been reported. He estimated the damage at around $75-80,000, and said that Red Cross was assisting the residents.

Four West Sacramento engines and a truck responded to the fire, and units from Davis helped provide coverage as a backup. No neighboring homes were damaged by the fire.

Do you like what you see here?

You can support local journalism, support this website, and see all the News-Ledger’s articles every week! Subscribe to the News-Ledge newspaper. It’s only $20 per year within West Sacramento – once a week, delivered to your mailbox.

You can even try it for free for two months if you live in West Sacramento. Just send your name and mailing address to FreeTrial@news-ledger.com (offer open to new subscribers in West Sacramento ZIP codes 95691 & 95605).